General Manager: Mpumalanga

Purpose Statement

The General Manager will provide strategic direction and control for the Leading Brands regional portfolio of brands. This role involves accountability for the development and delivery of a regional business plan that incorporates brand strategic drivers, new store growth, and team happiness. The General Manager will develop and maintain relationships with franchise partners and key external stakeholders while ensuring full responsibility for the execution of brand operational standards and accountability for all financial budgets.

Main Outputs and Responsibilities

• Develop and drive the implementation of the regional business plan.
• Implement brand strategic drivers.
• Oversee full implementation of national, regional, and locality marketing programs.
• Manage the new business team to meet growth targets according to brand and regional strategies, achieving/exceeding all new restaurant opening budgets.
• Achieve/exceed brand revamp targets.
• Develop annual turnover and operating budgets for the region and achieve set targets.
• Achieve/exceed budget operating profit (in rands and margins) for the region.
• Manage costs and improve efficiencies.
• Ensure costs remain within approved CAPEX budgets.
• Maintain a nil deterioration in the debtors’ book.
• Implement good management practices to avoid legal claims.
• Achieve/exceed externally generated consumer service ratings.
• Celebrate successes meaningfully and professionally with the team.
• Populate team structures with high-calibre personnel, showing succession planning and focus on transformation.
• Manage and develop your team using scorecard development and management processes.
• Conclude bi-annual Human Capital Review Interventions.
• Plan and foster relationships with key strategic stakeholders.
• Accountable for the recruitment and selection of all franchise partners.
• Ensure achievement of operational standards ratings and implement Brand Campaigns to drive excellence.
• Drive development and implementation of franchisee best operating practice financial benchmarks, focusing on enhancing individual franchisee profitability.
• Satisfactorily manage customer queries and expectations, ensuring satisfaction of internal and external stakeholders and partners.

Education and Experience

Formal Education

• Possession of a suitable tertiary qualification, preferably a Bachelor’s Degree.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 to 10 years previous management experience.
• Experience in leading a large and diverse team.
• Strong track record of success in franchising, with at least 5 years of experience in the field.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build relationships with key strategic and joint venture partners.
• Strategic business planning abilities.
• Marketing skills and understanding.
• Strong financial management skills.
• Hands-on operations and training bias.
• Computer literacy.
• Financial numeracy.
• Tough negotiator.
• Highly presentable with strong communication skills.
• Team player and self-starter.

How to Apply

Applications close on 30 October 2026. Apply before the closing date to avoid missing this opportunity.